WINONA, MINN – The Winona State University women defeated Upper Iowa University in their second regular season meeting on Saturday evening in McCown Gymnasium, 68-55.

With Allie Pickrain out due to injury, Emily Kieck made her first career start at point guard for the Warriors and made the most of her opportunity. The freshman finished the night with 11 points, five assists, and two steals.

After the two teams traded three pointers to start the game, Winona State was able to grab a 7-6 edge and never trailed from there. Upper Iowa kept the score close though in an up-tempo first quarter.

The Peacocks tied things up at 18-all late in the quarter before WSU went on a 7-to-0 run in the final two minutes to give them the separation they were looking for. The Warriors proceeded to end the period with a 25-18 advantage.

An injury timeout halted play for an extended period late in the first quarter, and when play resumed it appeared to halt the Peacocks' offense as well. The Warriors were able to build on their lead in the second quarter highlighted by an 11-0 run that lasted nearly eight minutes.

Heading into the break, Winona State was shooting over 57% from the field and 56% from beyond the arc. Kieck was 2-for-3 from long range and Liz Evenocheck shot 4-7 from the field.

In the second half, both teams slowed offensively and Winona State saw an 18-point lead get cut to single digits with under three minutes to go. The Warriors went on to ice their victory at the free throw line.

Hannah McGlone tallied another double-double with a team-leading 16 points and 10 rebounds. Evenocheck contributed 12 points, and Gabie Doud chipped in 10 points off the bench.

The Warriors shot 46% from the floor and drained the three-ball at a 41% rate.

WSU improves to 9-1 (5-1 NSIC) with the win tonight, while Upper Iowa falls to 2-10 (0-6 NSIC).